Biological and cognitive approaches

Paper labels are an unofficial, independently authored grouping, applied only where a question's own format genuinely matches a real paper convention (such as IB Mathematics AA's non-calculator/calculator split). They do not reproduce any exam board's real paper numbering or mark allocation, and uncertain questions are labelled general practice instead.

• 1A researcher studies the role of the amygdala in processing fear by comparing brain activity, using fMRI, in participants shown fearful faces versus neutral faces. (a) Identify the research method used. (b) State one strength of using fMRI in this type of study. (c) State one limitation of using fMRI in this type of study.Paper 1 styleMedium4 marksNo calculator+
• 2Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “A researcher studies the role of the amygdala in processing fear by comparing brain activity, using fMRI, in participants shown fearful faces versus neutral faces. (a) Identify the research method used. (b) State one strength of using fMRI in this type of study. (c) State one limitation of using fMRI in this type of study.” Their response addresses only this point: “Identifies the method as a (quasi-)experiment using brain imaging to compare conditions.” Evaluate the response against the complete 4-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.Marking analysisMedium4 marksNo calculator+
• 3A study on memory shows participants a list of 15 words and later asks them to recall as many as possible. Researchers find that words at the beginning and end of the list are recalled more often than words in the middle. (a) Name the two effects being demonstrated. (b) Using the multi-store model of memory, explain why words at the start of the list are remembered well. (c) Using the same model, explain why words at the end of the list are remembered well.Paper 1 styleMedium5 marksNo calculator+
• 4Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “A study on memory shows participants a list of 15 words and later asks them to recall as many as possible. Researchers find that words at the beginning and end of the list are recalled more often than words in the middle. (a) Name the two effects being demonstrated. (b) Using the multi-store model of memory, explain why words at the start of the list are remembered well. (c) Using the same model, explain why words at the end of the list are remembered well.” Their response addresses only this point: “Names the primacy effect for the beginning of the list.” Evaluate the response against the complete 5-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.Marking analysisMedium5 marksNo calculator+
• 5A study asks participants to solve problems either alone or while another person is present. Researchers observe that performance on simple, well-practised tasks improves with an audience, while performance on complex, unfamiliar tasks worsens. (a) Name the phenomenon that explains both findings. (b) State the underlying psychological process proposed to explain why an audience has this dual effect.Paper 1 styleEasy3 marksNo calculator+
• 6Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “A study asks participants to solve problems either alone or while another person is present. Researchers observe that performance on simple, well-practised tasks improves with an audience, while performance on complex, unfamiliar tasks worsens. (a) Name the phenomenon that explains both findings. (b) State the underlying psychological process proposed to explain why an audience has this dual effect.” Their response addresses only this point: “Names social facilitation, with social inhibition/impairment as its counterpart.” Evaluate the response against the complete 3-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.Marking analysisEasy3 marksNo calculator+